2 jailed for illegal mining in Kwara

The Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin has convicted two individuals and a company for engaging in illegal mining activities in Kwara State. They were sentenced to prison terms with options of fines and the court also ordered the forfeiture of 230 tonnes of illegally possessed minerals to the Federal Government. The convictions followed the […]

The Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin has convicted two individuals and a company for engaging in illegal mining activities in Kwara State.

They were sentenced to prison terms with options of fines and the court also ordered the forfeiture of 230 tonnes of illegally possessed minerals to the Federal Government.

The convictions followed the prosecution of Samuel Sunday, Saheed Lawal Akanji and Saaskrona Nigeria Limited by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Abimbola Awogboro.

The EFCC said the prosecution stemmed from credible intelligence indicating that some individuals were illegally dealing in and processing solid minerals in the state without the licences required under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.

The commission said surveillance by its operatives led to the arrest of the suspects at separate processing sites in Eiyenkorin.

Sunday was arrested at his factory in Olorunda Area, beside the Deeper Life Camp, while Akanji was apprehended at his factory opposite Ojaja University along Passa Road.

According to the EFCC, investigations revealed that the defendants were unlawfully processing and dealing in minerals including Smithsonite, Calcite, Anhydrite, Tennantite and Quartz without the statutory permits.

Sunday was arraigned on a one count charge of possessing minerals without a permit, while Akanji and his company faced a two-count charge bordering on similar offences.

All the defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.

Following the guilty pleas, EFCC counsel, Rashidat Alao, tendered documentary exhibits as well as the minerals recovered during the investigation, which the court admitted in evidence.

Justice Awogboro subsequently sentenced Sunday to 12 months’ imprisonment with an option of a N2 million fine. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the 140 tonnes of mineral ore recovered from his site to the Federal Government.

Akanji was also sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment with an option of a N1 million fine, while Saaskrona Nigeria Limited was fined N1 million.

The court further ordered the forfeiture of the 90 tonnes of minerals recovered from the company’s site to the Federal Government.